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Disney Pixar's Brave
When it comes to enchanting stories woven amongst magnificent landscapes Scotland is one of the richest treasure troves on the planet, and Disney•Pixar's animators certainly delved into this rich source when they were creating their Oscar-winning animated adventure Brave.
Though Brave is set in a fictional medieval Scotland, Pixar's animators were deeply affected by the real country's raw beauty and rich heritage, visiting Scotland both in the summer of 2006 and late 2007. The unique natural sights they witnessed during their tours dramatically influenced Brave's startlingly beautiful animated landscapes.
The following list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.
- 1
Dunnottar Castle
Aberdeenshire
Dunnottar Castle
Some of Scotland's landmarks proved so mesmerising for Pixar's Brave team, they actually ended up altering ideas they originally had for the movie to incorporate what they'd seen on their memorable trip.
Initially, Merida's DunBroch family castle was going to be set against a loch in the Highlands. Yet after visiting Dunnottar Castle, a stunning structure set on jutting cliff-side rocks just south of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, the team decided to imitate its staggering surrounds by making DunBroch an outpost by the sea. - 2
Calanais Standing Stones
Isle of Lewis
The Callanish Standing Stones
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Sarafian also admits the Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis had a big impact on Pixar. "It felt like the perfect setting for something important to happen in the story. The stones are in a circle on a big, exposed cliff with the sky as their backdrop - it's very striking. On both trips it was really hard to get any of the artists back on the bus!"
Please note, the visitor centre is currently closed until 2026 for redevelopment and during that time there will be no facilities or parking measures available to the public.
- 3
Glen Affric
The Highlands
Loch Affric
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
Merida spends much of her time in Brave travelling through landscapes heavily indebted to the Highlands on her horse Angus. Much of these fantastical, fictional climes were inspired by the filmmakers' trip to Glen Affric.
With one of the largest Caledonian pinewoods, combined with impressive mountains, moorlands, heather-strewn hills and moss-covered land, the stunning glen, only 15 miles from Loch Ness, proved the perfect site to experience a slice of authentic Scottish wilderness.
The sound of Scotland
Not only does Brave draw on Scotland's landscapes and history for inspiration, it's mesmerising soundtrack (scored by South Lanarkshire-born composer Patrick Doyle) also evokes the sounds of the country, with bagpipes, fiddles, flutes, Celtic harps and Gaelic psalm singing all featuring.
Gaelic performer, Julie Fowlis, also contributes two heart-flutteringly emotive songs - Touch the Sky and Into the Open Air.
Other things you might like
Film & TV locations in Scotland
Outlander filming locations in Scotland
James Bond & Skyfall filming locations
Standing stones
Highland games in Scotland
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